New Industry Magazine

If you've been in the mobile cleaning industry for any length of time you've no doubt seen and read a few trade magazines. I personally have read at least 4 different window cleaning related magazines and 3 pressure cleaning magazines. While a couple were educational most fell victim to the overabundance of ads versus content which so many magazines do. So why am I telling you what you already know? Because something different in out there. A new mobile cleaning industry magazine is debuting. Clean Matters Magazine will shortly release it's premier issue highlighting the hugely successful United Association of Mobile Contract Cleaners National Convention in Charlotte, NC this past September.

Why Another Magazine? 

With other industry publications they target the contractor in that industry and while that seems logical let's think about what any industry publication should be about - education. Not just the education of the contractor but more so, the education of our clients. After all, wouldn't you prefer to do business with property owners who understand the value of what you bring to the job. Property owners who understand that a quality job comes from educated contractors and carries an inherent value? This has been the driving force behind the UAMCC's newsletter for years and is the same driving force it's successor, Clean Matters Magazine, will push even further. 

How Do I Get It?

This magazine will be in a limited print and full digital edition. Both of which are free! The print edition is available to all new members of the UAMCC as well as at newstands located at participating UAMCC vendors. The digital copy is available by subscription at Cleanmattersmagazine.com 

Can I Get a Partial Cleaning?

The short answer is, yes. The better answer is, that depends. While it's always possible to clean select windows or one wall of a property in reality a partial cleaning isn't in your best interest in most cases. Why?

The Cost
In every cleaning there are expenses incurred by the contractor that are factored into the price. Among those are equipment wear and tear, vehicle maintenance, insurance, labor, etc. Most of these are the same no matter how many sides of your home are washed, windows cleaned, or sidewalks cleaned. This means there is already a minimum you are going to pay up front. Because of this many companies have a minimum charge on their services. So you may end up paying more on the smaller jobs when you figure the cost per square foot. That's why it's almost always more economical for you to have the whole property cleaned.

It Looks Clean
Many times you may think that it's only a few windows that are dirty or only one side of the building needs cleaned because it's green. This is where the old axiom "looks are deceiving" comes into play. While we often gauge how dirty something is by it's appearance it can leave unseen soils behind. In the case of algaes or molds this can lead to rapid resoiling of the cleaned surface rendering the cleaning short lived or often useless.

Hidden Damage
While we often clean our property because of what's seen the best reasons to have it cleaned are not immediately visible. For instance a window that is left uncleaned for years will be damaged by hard water staining so that cleaning will no longer be effective and require restoration, a far more costly alternative. Some sidings left uncleaned will eventually oxidize badly and again require a restoration at a much higher cost. Others will stain badly requiring multiples cleanings at a more regular rate to get them out.

The Solution?
Realizing that our building surfaces are among the largest investments we will make in our lifetime helps us to see the real value in full, regular cleaning of those surfaces. But how regularly should this be done? In the case of sidings it can depend greatly on our location. At the very least every 2 years up to as often as every 6 months. In the case of flat concrete areas it can be as often as every 2 weeks to every 3 months depending on traffic and type of business or the area we live in. What about windows? While it can be more ascetic because we see our world through them having them cleaned at least once a year should be on our schedule. More frequently is recommended though.

That's A Lot of Work!
Certainly the amount of work on a property can be overwhelming. However, the alternative to ignoring the consequences of partial cleanings can be just as overwhelming. To make this easier search out a competent company to handle this task. They can get you scheduled and take the worry on their shoulders for you. To find a top level company in your area I recommend hiring a certified contractor from the United Association of Mobile Contract Cleaners. Find one here!

For an idea of the many services we can perform on your property our website

 

Tony Evans Biography

    Along with my wife of nearly 30 years I own and operate A New View Exterior Cleaning. We started the company in 2004 making this our 12th year in business. I have been in the cleaning industry in one form or another for over 15 years and was a general contractor for 10 years before that.

    The first thing I realized when we started this business was that education was paramount to success. To that end I got involved with several online forums to glean as much information as possible in an effort to shorten my learning curve and decrease the potential pitfalls of the business. I so appreciated the help I was given that I have made a concerted effort to give back as much as possible by helping educate any who have asked, even those in my own area, thru forums, phone calls, and networking events.

    About 3 years ago I joined the United Association of Mobile Contract Cleaners as  felt it was a group that felt the same way I did about educating other contractors for the betterment of the industry as a whole. I've enjoyed learning a great deal about being a businessman, teacher, and servant to the industry from it's leadership over the last few years. Because of that and my desire to continue to give back, I'm running for a At Large position on the Board of Directors in the upcoming election. 

   I've enjoyed the privilege of forming and chairing the Window Cleaning Certification Committee, writing several articles for the newsletter, and doing presentations and training at several UAMCC events. I've also hosted the Midwest Cleaning Event in Iowa for 7 years before joining forces with the Power Wash Store event this last year. 

   I hope to be able to give back even more to the industry as a member of the UAMCC Board of Directors should I be elected so I can continue the path so clearly set by the previous Board.

Avoiding the Do It Yourself Trap!

Now before you get upset because you love a good DIY project let me explain - I'm not talking about modifying your tools or fixing your own equipment. I'm discussing a trap that comes from our own minds. One that originates with our strengths to become our weakness. The belief that we have to do the work ourselves in order to have a successful business.
Yes, the old, I can do it better myself, myth!
I myself have tried for many years to do the bulk of our work myself and I know many others who also operate their business that way. However, after a recent car accident I realize just how dangerous that is for my business. As I slowly recover I find that my productivity isn't what I want it to be and it's slow to return. That begs the question - what if I were hurt worse? How could my business survive if the one person doing a large amount of the work or at the very least the more difficult tasks. In our case that could cost us a large amount of our current customer base. So why would someone keep working that way?

I Love What I Do
Some of the biggest reasons that keep us working solo or with a mate only, are our love of what we do and a strong work ethic. We don't want to be stuck behind a desk when we enjoying working outside. We may even feel that if we aren't working hard in the field we aren't doing our all to build our business. Then there's the feeling that we don't want to train an employee to become our competition. Are those concerns valid?
As we discussed above sometimes our strengths can become our weaknesses. For instance a strong work ethic can make us oblivious to how much time we are spending (often unnecessarily) on our business. After a 10 or 12 hour day do you then go home to do invoices, scheduling, returning calls, or a myriad of other tasks before getting to spend any time with your family or even sleep? Do you realize that by and large most people don't want to be a business owner? Do we really have to be stuck behind a desk all the time if we are the boss?
Only you have the answers for your company in those areas. But maybe you can start small. Delegate some tasks to a trusted friend or family member or even use a company that specializes in things like scheduling appointments or taking phone calls. You may find that extra time is addictive and you'd like to step it up to the next level. How then do we protect ourselves from the trap?

What is the Answer?
For our company the answer is twofold. First, as I posted in a past blog, we are moving the company into more commercial maintenance work. Secondly, I am training others to do this work removing me from the equation if necessary.
I know some will say they simply can't entrust their company's future to others but if you can't, will your company have a future if something happens to you? I'm not saying that you have to restructure your company out of fear but allowing our belief that we are the only person who can do the work is a trap that can be hard to escape.
Why not take some time to think about it. Don't let your great work ethic and love of what you do end up becoming the Do It Yourself Trap!

For more information visit A New View Exterior Cleaning

Why did we change our business?

When we started our business over a decade ago we were all about window cleaning. It was a great job because it offered instant gratification, start with dirty windows and leave the customer A New View from clean windows. Along the way we had requests for services that seemed to fit in nicely with what we were already doing. Really a win/win. The client didn't have to deal with several contractors and we could make more money at each stop.
Until recently we didn't really pursue services other than window cleaning. We just gave clients a price if they asked what it would be to add a house wash or patio cleaning to the windows. But since we joined the United Association of Mobile Contract Cleaners a couple years ago we've talked to many contractors that inspired us to market our business as what we truly are - an exterior cleaning business.
Since most of our work was on the exteriors already it just made sense. We still offer interior window cleaning, shower door stain removal, and granite counter top cleaning for those properties that would benefit from those services.
We've already seen a huge increase in our business and look forward to adding many new clients who will also come to appreciate having A New View whether from their windows or while looking back on a freshly washed property from top to bottom.

For more information go to A New View Exterior Cleaning

Biggest Training Event Yet!

Midwest Cleaning Event in Milwaukee this week!

Could't have said it better myself Ron!

For more information go to A New View Exterior Cleaning

A Few Reminders on Networking

A couple years ago I had the privilege of getting Jason Evers to be a keynote speaker at the Midwest Cleaning Conference. Jason is one of the most positive and enthusiastic guys I know. A genuinely friendly person who wants everyone around him to succeed. While I can't remember everything he spoke about back then I do remember 5 action steps he outlined when it comes to networking.

1) Network with the right people - including your competitors (so many people waste time          networking with a group of people they have nothing in common with)
2) Be prepared for a networking event (have a list of people you want to meet, do research on their  company)
3) At any networking event (have at list of at least three questions you want answered, research  companies that impress you)
4) Use the two foot rule (talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere, you never know when you are going to  meet the ideal customer)
5) Most Importantly - Have fun! (Enthusiasm, laughter, and confidence will always draw a crowd -  people want to be surrounded by these traits)

As Jason said these are action steps. Without effort on your part NOTHING happens!
I have to admit I have been remiss in applying many of these points and have become a bit complacent in developing my business in the way I should. I plan to use this slower winter season to work on these points as well as others to get back on track. How about you?

Thanks for the great advice Mr Evers!

For more information go to A New View Exterior Cleaning

Best educational event comes to Iowa again

The 6th Annual Midwest Cleaning Conference will be held in Des Moines, Iowa again this year. On July 18th and 19th we will hold what has become the best educational event of the summer in the mobile cleaning industry. What will happen at this year's event?
Topics -
We will have some similar topics to last year. We will be discussing sales, safety, add ons, marketing, and equipment maintenance. New topics this year include carpet cleaning and kitchen exhaust cleaning.

Demonstrations -
We will have demonstration times each day and will have water fed pole, softwashing, pressure cleaning, and new this year carpet cleaning demos.

We have several returning sponsors as well who make it possible for the attendees to come get this great educational experience for free. Because we highly appreciate that each day will conclude with vendor appreciation time. The meeting room setup will be identical to last year and you will have time before, in between, and after the sessions to visit the vendor room.
I'm very grateful that Doug Rucker will be doing a full day class the day before the event on July 17th. Last year those that took his class had nothing but positive things to say. If you are looking to move into pressure, soft, or roof cleaning then you need this class.
If you want to take your business to the next level or reignite your passion for what you do, this is the place to be. To get location information and register to attend go here


For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute

Be Careful With Social Media

For a business owner few things can be as effective as social media for getting your message out quickly to a large group. If you set up you contact or "friends" list right you have an almost instant way to send specials and sell new services. Not to mention that unlike a passive advertising like a website social media can be used to actively seek sales.
While that's great it doesn't come without risks. The contact and information flows both ways with social media. It's just as easy for "communication" you don't want to get out to do so. What do I mean? Think about what many people do when they enter social media. Often they set up a personal page and then a business one. Why? They can use the personal page to talk to friends and family over great distances, exchange photos or videos, join groups they are interested in, and even play games if they so choose. This is where it gets problematic. Even if you only have your customers on your business page odds are they know your name and can search FB for your post. They may even be friends with others you are friends with and know they can see those not so flattering pictures you (or more likely your friends) posted of you that one time you did something you wish you never had. Let's face it everyone has a smartphone with internet access now and in seconds you can become internet infamous.
So if you intend to use social media for your business make sure that you keep your personal page and posts as professional as you want your customers to see you. If you are in groups and they are "open" make sure what you post isn't a rant about that one customer who just drives you up the wall. That is, unless you don't mind losing them when they see it on there newsfeed.
I know it's not fair but right or wrong we as business owners are held to a higher standard because these people are letting us in their homes and around there family. They need a certain sense of security and we need to provide that in order to stay in business.


For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute

What makes the best water fed pole?

It's one of those questions where you have manufacturers come out with ratios and numbers. Some just claim to be the best. Others just keep doing what they've always done and let the end user determine the issue. 
Are their ways a beginner can make a good choice they won't regret? 
Here are some things to think about. How high are you going to work? What is your budget? How often are you likely to use the pole and for how long? Will it be for after a softwashing or will you be doing first cleans on some dirty windows?
After you decide that you can figure out what will work for you.
For soft washers up to 2 stories a hybrid pole (a mix of carbon fiber and fiberglass) will be just fine.
For first cleans you may want something stiffer and lighter so a full carbon fiber pole will be great up to 3 stories
If you are doing commercial work up to 4 stories on a regular basis you should look in to a Hi Modulus carbon fiber pole.
In all of this you want to find the lightest, stiffest pole you can afford to make your work as easy as possible.
As far as tests the one I find most compelling is a simple angle test where the poles are put in a rack and extended to see how far they will droop under their own weight. I've posted a video of one such test. While not all poles are in the test the two that others most often compare themselves to are (the Gardiner and Unger nLite series) so you should be able to make a solid determination with this.

Pretty much speaks for itself!

For more information go to A New View Exterior Cleaning

Milestone for Unger

In a small industry like window cleaning not many companies last, let alone celebrate 50 years in business. To achieve that you need good people, loyal clientele, and a great product line. Unger has evidently accomplished all three. This year marks Unger's 50th Anniversary. To celebrate they have released a limited edition set of tools as well as a limited edition clothing line. Both can be found here
I've used many products as a window cleaner and at the beginning of my business I didn't use many Unger products. That has changed over the years and I now use mainly Unger products on my tool belt. In fact the Ninja squeegee handle, stripwasher sleeves, T bars, and microfiber cloths have become mainstays in our business.
At many networking events Unger unselfishly donates free product for attendees. Having something to try out in this way can be vital to a business owner just starting out. They often don't have the disposable income to try every new item that comes out. It may seem simple but many times it's the simple things that mean the most.
So a big thanks to Unger for supporting this industry for 50 years. Happy Anniversary!



For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute

Ladder Safety and You

One of the most profound statements I’ve ever heard when it comes to ladder safety is – “there are two kinds of ladder users, those who have fallen off a ladder and those that will”. While you may not like the either-or scenario of that statement, it is sadly all too true. If we use ladders long enough we can find ourselves on the wrong side of an accident. But as professional cleaners, ladders are an essential part of our equipment. What can we do to minimize the risk?

Location, Location, Location!

While most of us would recognize this adage as something to do with real estate it is a vital element of ladder safety. Where we place our ladder is the most important step we take in using it safely. We need to make sure that the ground we are setting our ladder on is solid. The ladder should also be set at a 75 degree angle. How do we know if we have it right? There are simple ways to check. To establish the angle simply set the ladder where you need it, now with your arms stretched out straight, your hands should land on the rung straight in front of you, then you have the proper angle. As for the stable ground, when the ladder is set, simply stand on the bottom rung and bounce a little. If the ladder doesn’t sink unevenly or deeply then you’re ready to think about climbing. What about uneven ground or getting on a roof?

Every Ladder Needs These

I have found 2 ladder accessories to be invaluable when it comes to ladder safety – a standoff and the Pivit tool.

We use a Werner quick click standoff (some guys call them bullhorns) every time we set up the extension ladder. It keeps the top of the ladder away from the wall, which gives you a better angle to clean. It also gives more stability to the top of the ladder which is especially beneficial when going from the ladder to a roof. We also use the Pivit tool which looks like a big black wedge. It is designed as a leg leveler as well as a plank support for interior scaffolding. Whatever you use, a leg leveler is a must when you need to make sure the ladder is always straight, never climb a ladder that is leaning to one side, even if it’s only by a couple of inches.

Other concerns

If you live in an area where you may need to use a ladder in the winter, you may run into snow or ice where you need to set up. If there is no other option, then make sure to clear the surface of any snow or ice before setting your ladder. Of course there are other options for certain types of cleaning, like extension poles or using different techniques to clean the exterior from the inside when doing windows.  Another great way to reduce the risk of using ladders is to not use them. We use water fed poles as often as possible to keep ladder use to a minimum in window cleaning. Or if you are soft washing a house can you use a longer wand or telescopic pole to get the solution to a setback dormer?

Training is Essential

One thing we also should discuss it the need for training. While climbing a ladder may not be rocket science it’s dangerous and as with any dangerous activity training can reduce those dangers. Most fire departments have training classes so check with your local one to see if you can take a class. There are networking events for cleaners around the country and some may have safety courses and/or demos that you can attend. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) have online classes (OSHA 10 and OSHA 30) that will help you with the classroom aspects of ladder safety if you take the ones for the construction industry.

To Use a Ladder or Not

Whatever you decide no job is worth taking an unnecessary risk with a ladder so really analyze your options beforehand, apply any and all safety devices for the ladder, be willing to walk away from an unsafe scenario, and remember the only safe ladder is the one you never use!


For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute

Glass Issues – An Employee Guide

We’ve all heard it before, window cleaning isn’t rocket science! While that is true it’s not as simple as it once was. We can run into issues like hard water stains, fabrication debris, tin etch haze, low-e coating reactions, and other things that require us to be educated on a variety of techniques and tools. To further complicate matters what if “we” happen to be an employee and “we” have to explain these potential issues to a client? Let’s discuss a few issues from the employee’s perspective.

Forewarned is forearmed

An old adage comes to mind – to be forewarned is to be forearmed. In other words if we are prepared for the potential problems we can be prepared to deal with them. This means that we need our employer to have procedures in place that we can start with so each issue is dealt with consistently.

But for simplicity here are some basics that will allow an employee to give a simple explanation about how to deal with them, depends upon your companies policies–

Fabrication Debris – annealed glass must go through a heating and cooling process to become “tempered”. It is cut to size before this process and if not cleaned properly it can become contaminated with glass fines (as well as other particulates from the factory) which can become fused to the surface during the heating process. When doing a standard cleaning using a razor, the defects can be moved across the glass surface causing scratches. The options here are – 1) a signed waiver explaining that identifying the defect isn’t possible and clean as usual, 2) not using a razor and trying to use white pads, 3) cleaning only the loose debris off the glass, or 4) using heavy chemicals to remove stubborn debris (this option can void the insulated glass unit warranty).

 Tin Etch Haze – architectural glass today is called float glass which means the liquid glass comes out of the oven, floating on a layer of molten tin. For the life of the glass it will have a thin layer of tin embedded in one side. When removing hard water stains from that side, if a hydrofluoric acid solution is used it will react with the tin and cause an odd colored haze. There are ways to test for the tin side but if the stain is on that side there are two options – replacement or mechanical removal of the stain with a scratch removal system.

Hard Water Stains – beyond regular debris on the glass, you can run into stains from different minerals on the glass. Each stain is different and takes different chemicals or techniques to remove and is no longer cleaning, but restoring the glass. Depending on the stain you can use 1) bronze (steel) wool, white pad and/or chemicals, 2) a polisher and chemicals, or 3) a scratch removal system for more severe stains.

Low-E coating reactions – in order to increase the energy efficiency of a window a metallic sputter coating (called low-e) is applied on one interior surface of an insulated glass unit. Sometimes the coating reacts in spots to different contaminants. It will show up as a rainbow colored haze that you can’t touch with your finger (because it’s in between the glass panes).  The only option here is replacement of the affected unit.

Blown IG seals – when you see fogging or white river like stains between the glass you have a blown seal in the insulated glass unit. If it’s just fogging you can, in some instances, have the moisture removed in a defogging process (usually you need to specialize in this service or know of a company in your area that does). If the fogging has turned into staining on the interior then replacement is the only option.

Preexisting Scratches – when doing a new job you can find yourself being blamed for scratching a window when it was done by someone else and usually at a different time. Here a waiver that covers preexisting scratches and/or a thorough walkthrough identifying and taking note of preexisting conditions are your only real protection.

Before discussing any of these situations with a client, make sure you are authorized to do so by your employer or direct the client to the person who is.

For more educational topics go to A New View Exterior Cleaning

Safely Using Razors

One of the most dangerous tools we use as window cleaners would have to be the humble razor blade. While being an indispensable part of our tool kit they can inflict serious and potentially life threatening injuries. Being aware of the danger sometimes just isn't enough. What can we do to minimize the risk?

Slow Down!

Perhaps the best way to safely use razors is to make sure we take our time while using them. Often as window cleaners we are driven by an hourly goal. While that in itself is admirable there are times where we must put that mindset in check. Using blades is one of those times. Often we find ourselves almost in auto pilot – wet the glass, squeegee, detail, and repeat. Once the razor comes out the auto pilot should go off.

Don’t Forget the Cover

Every razor comes with a cover or other means for keeping the blade safely hidden. There are also a variety of holsters and holders that offer the same protection. A possible exception might be those 1 ½ “blades some window cleaners use for touch ups. In the old days a cleaner might use the Van Gough carrying method (small blade held behind the ear) or even holding those small blades in their mouth. There really is no reason ever to use these methods. Especially since there are many different styles of magnetic holders out there for these blades. Whatever blade we use make sure that when it’s not in use it is covered in some manner.

Changing Out Blades

When talking about the dangers involved we can’t forget the most dangerous time – changing the blades. This is the time when all the cutting edges of the blade are completely exposed. Never, never, never change the blade when up on a ladder! Always make sure you have your full attention on what you are doing and your feet securely on the ground when it’s time to change your razor blade. 

“They Call Me Lefty”

These may seem like simple tips that should be common sense but how many high school shop teachers do you know that are missing fingers and have the nick name “Lefty”?  Common sense may not be so common at times. When we rush common sense can become a casualty and so can we.

For more educational topics go to A New View Exterior Cleaning

Working Safely with Chemicals that Prevent Frozen Solutions

Here in the Midwest we are getting ready to face another winter season and that means cold temperatures and window cleaning. No doubt many of you have come out to the vehicle one morning only to remember that you forgot to bring in the bucket and found a block of ice instead of a bucket of solution. Fortunately we have a variety of chemicals that will keep our solution liquid and flowing freely so we can do our job. Unfortunately they can cause other issues so this article will give you the options and precautions to keep you working safely this winter.

Our Chemical Options

When it comes to chemicals we have several to choose from but I’ve found a few that are the best when it comes to economy and performance. Some choose to go with windshield washer fluid (WWF) but I opted not to include it simply because one of the chemicals I use is the base component.

Methanol – this is the antifreeze chemical that is found in windshield washer fluid and the one I use the most of in my business. Around here I buy it from a local dirt track race team supplier as methanol is there fuel. It cost me about $3 -3.50 a gallon. Now you may say you can get a gallon of WWF cheaper but keep in mind about 75% of that gallon is water, cheap soap, and blue dye. That means you are getting (at best) 25% methanol per gallon. That actually makes it a far more expensive option and the blue dye looks horrible as it freezes up on the side of a home or storefront.

Ethanol – I’ve bought this as denatured alcohol at my local hardware store and it worked well. It was more expensive and the smell was closely akin to model airplane glue so ventilation is vital. I’d use it only if I had no other option.

Isopropyl – this is my second most used form of antifreeze. I add a few quarts of it to each 5 gallons of methanol to eliminate the smell of the fuel additive they use. I also include it in my pure water back pack when the temps will be below freezing for part of the day to keep me water fed poling as long as I can.

While there are other chemicals out there these are the most easily obtained and do the job efficiently.

CAUTION!

There are several cautions to be aware of when dealing with these chemicals.

Colder temps – since we are trying to keep the water from freezing at 32F by adding a chemical, we are artificially reducing it freezing temperature and so if we were to expose our hands to the water the temp could be as low as -10F or more depending on our working conditions.

Chemical Exposure – while exposure to a small amount of any of these chemicals isn’t really dangerous we are working with them for hours every day. Make sure to completely limit skin exposure by wearing gloves (preferably chemically resistant) while mixing or working with these chemicals.

Flammability – all of these chemicals are flammable so you need to be aware of any ignition sources you may be working near. Remember the flame from alcohol burns a blue/white so the solution can be on fire and you won’t be able to see it.

Evaporation – while not necessarily a serious hazard one additional concern when working with these chemicals is that they will eventually evaporate from your solution. To reduce this I recommend that you buy and use a lid for your solution. There are several that can be purchased at any window cleaning supply house of your choice.

Final thoughts

As with any chemical you may use in your business, education and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) are the most important aspect. Make sure that whichever of these chemicals you are using you read and carry with you the MSDS sheet. This will make sure that if the worst happens you have the information needed to administer the proper first aid or other safety concerns.



For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute

Competition or Cooperation? Which is Better for Your Business?

Early training

We are told from an early age that sharing is a good thing. Later we are told that a little competition makes us better at what we do. These conflicting viewpoints are with us for the rest of our lives and for those of us that start our own businesses they are ever present. The real question though is which is better for our business? Will a competitive, crush all competition, spirit cause us to thrive in business or is there a better alternative?

The Wal-Mart Equation

Since its beginnings Wal-Mart has had the “lowest price wins” philosophy. It has seemed to be a successful way to build their empire and to a certain aspect many of us have benefitted from it in that we can get a variety of products at rock bottom prices. But let’s look below the surface – when Wal-Mart enters a new town the immediate reaction is that the small “Mom and Pop” type stores are affected for the worse. Many will go under and those that don’t merely scrape by. Now, in that community the only option is Wal-Mart. But even though the prices are rock bottom what are we getting? Much of the time we get sub standard quality products. Is that really what we wanted? The competition that Wal-Mart has introduced to the marketplace has in effect been a detriment to the consumer.

Business as usual?

Many window cleaning companies view others in their area as intruders at best, and enemies in some cases. Why? Perhaps the other company has engaged in targeted efforts to take your customers or employees. Sadly this happens. But most of the time it’s the early training or Wal-Mart equation that are present. They’ve been told the same thing we were – competition is good for your business. But is it really? And more importantly, is it good for you in general?

Ask yourself how much time and energy you devote to worrying about how to stay ahead of the competition. Sometimes it’s just a nagging thought in the back of our mind, but far too often it can be all consuming. Especially if the competitor is as successful or, and here’s a scary thought, more successful than us. We may even begin doing marketing based on what our competitor isn’t instead of what we can do for our customer. The good news is that there is an alternative.

Cooperation – the alternative

It may seem to go against the grain but why not look at your competitor as another resource for your business? Let’s face it – you can’t possibly handle all the glass in your area. So why try? In our area we have window cleaners that specialize in storefront, residential, hi-rise, you name it. I personally prefer to do residential and when I get calls for storefront work I have at least two cleaners in my area that I can refer those calls to. The best part of this is that they don’t look at me as a competitor and they refer business to me. I have now effectively increased my marketing presence by forming a cooperative spirit between myself and other local companies.

Add to this that when I see these guys in the area I don’t have to worry “are they trying to steal my customers?” because I know we are on good terms. It takes me back to when I was little. I – like many of you no doubt – was taught to share my toys with others. I couldn’t play with every toy I had at the same time and really didn’t want to. That has become my business philosophy – sharing. We can’t clean all the glass at the same time and probably don’t want to either. Cleaning glass is just something we do to make a living and it’s the same for other cleaners in our area.

There another great reason to cooperate instead of compete – price! Instead of competition driving price down a cooperative spirit allows us to get good prices for our work. I’m not advocating price fixing or anything like it, but let’s face it we all want to make a decent living for our family and the work we do can be dangerous. Add to that the fact that we are self-employed and must take care of our own health care and retirement concerns. Do we really think we can do this if prices for our work are constantly going down?

Some will say that it’s good for the consumer. Is it really? NO. Why do I say that? Again the Wal-Mart equation helps us. We pay low, low prices that’s true. Of course the quality is also low, low. If we are lowering our prices rest assured the quality is going down as well. In a marketplace where we share and cooperate the prices stay up and so does the quality! Our fellow cleaners will make sure of that.

So, the ball is in your court. What do you want? Do you want to work in an area dominated by aggression, bitterness, and fear? Or would you rather share your toys?


For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute

New Window Cleaning Forum

I'm happy to say that the new window cleaning forum, Window Cleaning Institute, will be open soon. We are working on the finishing touches to what we hope will become the new home for the window cleaning industry.
Here's a brief synopsis of what you can expect there -
Positive and professional will be the buzzwords for the forum. We want to WCI to become a unifying force in the industry so we've done a few things differently than other boards.
For instance since we want new ones to feel at home, we have a spot called Newbie Corner where they can post any question they need answered without worrying about a old timer telling them to read more or use the search feature. We will also make it a place where you won't have to worry about being sold to. While all industry manufacturers, suppliers, and sales reps can be part of the forum they have there own area for sales. If you need anything you can do one stop shopping and get product answers from them all in that area. The rest of the forum is for education and while the manufacturers, suppliers, and sales reps are welcome to contribute they won't be able to sell in that area making it a safe haven for those wanting to keep those things separate. We also have an area on WCI for all the industry associations to participate in and a section for international cleaners to talk about problems specific to their regions.
Add it all up and you can see how Window Cleaning Institute will be a place where you can get everything you need to make your business a success.

Setting expectations

I recently held the 5th annual Midwest Cleaning Conference and got the chance to talk to cleaners from different industries. The nice thing it that it allows me to get a different perspective on a variety of things. Sometimes it's as simple as what is clean when it comes to windows. Of course the obvious answer might be removing the dirt but in talking to pressure cleaners it's not the same as it is for window cleaners and it all boils down to expectations. Not ours or other cleaners but those of your potential clients. I did this video to explain how to use those expectations to your benefit no matter the industry.

For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute

Why would a window cleaner...

become a member of the UAMCC (United Association of Mobile Contract Cleaners), especially if they were already a member of a window cleaning industry association?
I asked myself that very question when I was asked to join. Having been a member of many associations in my time in the industry I had mixed feelings as to what it would do for me. For instance would my customers know about it or even care that I was a member? Would I get other benefits from the association that would bring me huge profits?
I took a moment and asked myself why anyone joins an association. I came up with a few reasons and most had nothing to do with padding my pocket. First, I entered this industry with little or no knowledge on what being a professional window cleaner means so the advice and networking I got from members of the association I joined at that time (MWCoA or Master Window Cleaners of America) helped me with the newbie questions that guys on other forums gave me a hard time over asking. Second, there were networking events that these associations sponsored where I could get out from behind the keyboard and see firsthand what these guys were telling me. And third, I was able to use the fact that I belonged to a group dedicated to making me a better cleaner as a selling point with clients. I mean doctors, lawyers, and other professionals all do ongoing education (many times through their own associations) to build confidence in their clients so why shouldn't I?
With those reasons in mind I weighed my decision of joining the UAMCC. I looked at an even bigger picture now than a window cleaning association. Here was a group that is working to get all mobile cleaners to pool their resources and knowledge. Some of the services of these other industries are a great fit for me and I would have access to others who are just as dedicated to improving their service as I am. As I thought about it I realized this would be the perfect fit for me and it was in mo way a conflict with any window cleaning association I might join again. In fact I found that many of the members were also in associations specific to their industry or service.
So if you are a window cleaner who has seen the value in associations for that industry I urge you to look at a bigger picture and enjoy the benefits offered by the UAMCC.
Take a moment to look at the website and please feel free to ask me any questions you have on my experience in the organization so far.
http://www.uamcc.org/

PS don't let the description fool you there are more than just pressure washers there.

For more educational topics go to A New View Exterior Cleaning

Do You Have a MSDS Binder?

            Imagine the scene – red flashing lights on the car behind you make you pull over. Why? You weren't speeding. What’s the problem? At closer inspection you realize it’s not the police, sheriff, or even a state trooper. It’s the DOT (Department of Transportation). What do they want? They may be double checking your ladders, seeing if interior loads are properly secured, and not obscuring the driver’s vision. Certainly they will be checking on the chemicals you have in your vehicle and at this point four letters will be vital - MSDS.

MSDS

            Material data safety sheets are a system for cataloging information like reactivity with fire, water, other chemicals, chemical compounds, or chemical mixtures. They also provide information on the products safe use and potential health hazards associated with the product you are using. Proper clean up procedures in case of spills are also part of these sheets. They should be present wherever these chemicals are being used. OSHA requires MSDS sheets be made available to employees for potentially harmful substances handled on the job.

Are You Ready?

            As professional window cleaners we deal with a wide variety of chemicals. For instance, besides whatever soaps we use for cleaning windows we may have various acidic cleaners for hard water stains; glide additives for our cleaning solution; and agents for removing cement, sealers, or heavy grease deposits. Maybe we offer other services like gutter whitening, roof cleaning or power washing. Now there are chemicals like bleach, gutter whitening cleaners, muriatic acid, and a plethora of other agents too numerous to list. If we use them or carry them on our work vehicles by law we need to have a MSDS for each product. So depending on the services we offer there could be a small novel in MSDS sheets we need to keep track of. How do we do it efficiently?

The MSDS Binder

            The most efficient way to keep track of our MSDS sheets is to organize them into a binder and have a binder for each work vehicle and one for the shop where we store extra chemicals. So once we know how many binders we need the next step is to make them.

Let’s take some time now and go through the steps needed to make your own MSDS binder –

Step 1 – to get a MSDS sheet we have a couple options. If we are purchasing our chemical from Window Cleaning Resource they have a downloadable MSDS on the product page of their online store. Otherwise a simple Google search under the heading “MSDS for “and then the name of the product we are using. Once you’ve downloaded the MSDS for each product I recommend making a folder on your computer to hold them all. Then it’s simply a matter of printing out a copy of each product’s MSDS for each work vehicle and one for the shop.

Step 2 – You’ll need a 3 ring binder and 3 ring sheet protectors (we use Avery #75530). Put each products MSDS in a sheet protector and then put that in the 3 ring binder. We label the binder MSDS on its spine and then Material Safety Data Sheets on the front cover.

Step 3 – Repeat step 2 until you have a filled binder for each work vehicle and shop area where products are stored.

Better Safe Than Sorry

            Once we have our binders made and in place make sure we and all employees understand how to use them and where they are located. Granted some of the products we use are fairly common and safe to use. However, there are some that if used improperly can be deadly. That’s why you should include a discussion of MSDS part of your company’s safety meeting schedule. While we hope we never have to need the information in a MSDS it’s simply a case of “better safe than sorry”.


For more educational topics go to Window Cleaning Institute